A seismic shift is about to rock the college football world, and if you’re an Ohio State fan, the news couldn’t be better. The College Football Playoff (CFP) system is undergoing a massive transformation, and the Buckeyes are in prime position to capitalize on the biggest structural change in years.
Brace yourselves, because the 12-team format is on its way out—and what’s coming next could tip the scales heavily in favor of powerhouse programs like Ohio State.
CFP Playoff Expansion: A Golden Ticket for Ryan Day’s Buckeyes
According to Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, the CFP committee is actively discussing expanding the playoff field to 14 or even 16 teams beginning in 2026. But here’s where things get even more interesting:
Under the new proposal, the Big Ten and SEC would each receive four automatic bids, effectively guaranteeing that Ohio State gets a shot at the national championship every single year.
Think about it. No more nail-biting debates over whether the Buckeyes will crack the top four. No more controversial exclusions. No more heartbreak over a single late-season loss derailing championship hopes. Instead, Ohio State will have a clear and secure path into the playoffs, where they can let their talent do the talking.
On the latest episode of Ohio State Football at Buckeyes Scoop, insider Nevada Buck dropped a bombshell about how this new system is shaping up:
“Starting in 2026, the new playoff structure will be decided solely by the Big Ten and the SEC,” he revealed. “What they’ve come up with is a 14-team playoff. The SEC and Big Ten champions will receive first-round byes, and the remaining 12 teams will battle it out to advance.”
This essentially means that the road to a national title will now run through the SEC and Big Ten, with those two power conferences firmly in control of the playoff format.
And Ohio State? They’re sitting pretty.
Why This Change Makes Ohio State Even More Dangerous
For years, Ohio State had to fight tooth and nail to finish in the top four nationally just to get a playoff berth. Now? Simply finishing as one of the Big Ten’s top four teams will be enough.
The new format also reshapes the conference championship weekend, adding another layer of high-stakes competition. Instead of just crowning a champion, the Big Ten title game will effectively serve as an extended playoff round.
Here’s how it works:
- The top two teams in the Big Ten will compete for the conference championship—both earning automatic CFP bids.
- The third vs. sixth and fourth vs. fifth teams will also battle it out, with the winners securing playoff spots as well.
The result? A conference championship weekend like we’ve never seen before.
This means more high-stakes games, increased TV ratings, and—most importantly for Ohio State—a higher probability of securing a playoff spot every single season.
Nevada Buck summed it up best:
“The rich are gonna get richer under this format. And for Ohio State, they’re already one of the most dominant programs in the sport. This only strengthens their position.”
The Buckeyes Are Built for This Era
Ohio State is already one of the most well-oiled machines in college football. Between elite recruiting, the NIL powerhouse they’ve built, and the coaching stability under Ryan Day, the Buckeyes are uniquely positioned to thrive under this new system.
Ohio State isn’t just a football team—it’s a national brand. They already attract top-tier talent from all over the country, and with an even clearer path to the playoffs, the best recruits will have even more incentive to choose Columbus as their home.
Nevada Buck doubled down on this, stating:
“Ohio State already has a recruiting pipeline that is second to none. They dominate the Midwest, they pull top talent from all over the country, and now they’ll have a built-in playoff spot almost every year. That’s a dream scenario.”
And he’s absolutely right.
This new system will only further solidify Ohio State’s dynastic presence in college football, ensuring that Ryan Day’s program remains in championship contention for years to come.
What’s Next?
The CFP committee is expected to finalize the new playoff format in the coming weeks, but one thing is certain: Ohio State is about to become even more dangerous.
For Buckeye Nation, this is a dream scenario. Ohio State already plays at a championship-caliber level, but now the playoff system itself will be structured to give them an even greater shot at a title run every season.
If you thought Ohio State was a national powerhouse before, just wait until 2026. A new era of dominance is about to begin, and the Buckeyes are leading the charge.
The question isn’t whether Ohio State will make the playoff. It’s how many national titles they’ll rack up in the years to come.
